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Caffeine

Classification: Stimulant

Active Compound: Caffeine / trimethylxanthine

Found in: Coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, energy drinks, over-the-counter pain relievers, over-the-counter stimulants, prescription medication

Mode of Consumption: Ingestion

DEA Scheduling/Legal Status (in US): Unscheduled

Effects:

Increased alertness, mild euphoria, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, increased breathing rate, acts as diuretic

Risks:

Physiological dependence, panic attacks, nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness, muscle twitching (hyperreflexia), insomnia, headaches, respiratory alkalosis, heart palpitations

Dangerous Drug Combinations:

Should be avoided if taking other stimulants, cold medicines containing phenylpropanolamine/norephedrine, or antidepressants that are MAO inhibitors (eg. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate).

Special Considerations:

Can be used as a performance-enhancing drug.

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And remember, if somebody may need help, play it safe and call for medical assistance.

“Students may bring an intoxicated or drug-impaired friend to University Health Services or to a hospital, or seek assistance from College residential life staff or HUPD, and by doing this, neither they nor the friend will face disciplinary action from the College for having used or provided alcohol or drugs.”

                                                                                    The Amnesty Policy

                                                                                    Harvard College Student Handbook

 

Sources:

Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (Third Edition), by Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson. Published 2008 by W. W. Norton & Company.

 

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/

 

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), part of the U.S. Department of Justice.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/

 

Erowid Organization

http://www.erowid.org/

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